This judgment would affect Zedekiah, the corrupt and wicked leader of Israel, and the people. Ezekiel refers to Zedekiah by his title, showing that his position was also judged. He would lose his royal symbols and be humbled, while the Lord would lift up the humble. The old order would face destruction.
the arrival of Him … to whom I have assigned the right of judgment: Many people understand this coming judge to be the Messiah (God’s chosen one), as in Genesis 49:10. In this context, however, the Lord was giving Judah to the Babylonians for judgment (see Ezekiel 23:24).
Ezekiel was likely reshaping the traditional promise in Genesis 49:10. Instead of pointing to a future king, he applied it to a coming judgment. Nebuchadnezzar would act as God’s instrument. God would take the scepter (symbol of royal rule) away from Judah for a time because its rulers had sinned. Later, God would restore it.